When Can I Exercise after a Breast Augmentation?

Hi I’m doctor Dan Shapiro I’m a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of plastic surgery I’ve been performing cosmetic or plastic surgery in the Scottsdale Paradise Valley area since 1992 and all I perform is cosmetic or aesthetic plastic surgery.

I’m here in Scottsdale Arizona and you can’t be a plastic surgeon in Scottsdale Arizona without doing a lot of breast surgery, I performed tons and tons of breast augmentation. I’ve been in practice for 22 years, you know everybody’s impatient and a common question I get is, how long can I expect to be uncomfortable after breast augmentation? How long before I can get back to normal activities? In terms of lifting in terms of doing any sports in terms of feeling more normal. The way to answer that question is to understand what I’m doing with breast augmentation. If I am putting a breast implant above the pectoralis muscle for some reason that recovery is quite simple. It really can be just days before you’re feeling completely back to normal and you can resume more normal activities.

There are a slew of different implants that we use now, some of which are textured some of which are not.That may require some massaging technique every day after surgery but generally if your implants are above the muscle you can get back to a more normal activity almost immediately. We like to have people massage but with regards to lifting and any sports activity almost immediately. I say within the first week or so you can get back to your schedule. Now the majority of the implants that I put in are beneath the pectoralis muscle because they they tend to stay soft or longer in most patients. They also tend to look a little bit more natural and the capsular contracture rate which is the hardening is less.

When you put them beneath the muscle, everything has a price, so when we go beneath the muscle I’m actually, elevating the muscle and partially removing it from the chest wall. There are some not problems but trade-offs with that I think it’s more uncomfortable for the first week or so generally, people that have not had children I think it takes about a week before you’re feeling you feel 100 %. People who have had children usually takes a couple of days. We often have to deal with muscle spasms so we give valium to help decrease those spasms. Lifting and exercise activities will be somewhat more limited. Generally, within the first three weeks or so when implants have put beneath the muscle. We like the patient to wear a bandeau that helps push the implant down to fill the most inferior portion of the pocket. When lifting and a lot of patients have very young children we like to have people keep their arms close to their body to use their core body for leverage. Instead of using their arms and the pectoralis muscle and gradually people can start doing more activities within the first two to three weeks. Patients can then start start running. Usually people wear a couple of sports bras for extra support when the implants have beneath the muscle. It takes a while for those implants to go from a higher position to a lower position.

By about six weeks I feel comfortable for people using their pectoral muscle more liberally in terms of doing a chest exercising. Or doing almost activity almost any activity that you want with the thought that there might be some discomfort. If there is it can be treated with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Motrin or Aleve or anything of that sort tends to work well but all in all, it depends upon where the implants are placed. It depends upon whether you’ve had children or not, and it depends upon once again communication so, we don’t take a step forward where you do too much too fast. Overall patients generally get back to doing whatever they want by about six weeks in the meantime we kind of try to slow you back a little bit. In order to limit any discomfort and sometimes when people do a little bit too much too fast those implants will stay a little bit high too long and that’s what valium is for. The best way to understand is come in and talk and we get it going that way. Thank you.

Meet Dr. Daniel Shapiro

A world-class plastic surgeon in a league of his own.

Dr. Shapiro is an award-winning, board-certified plastic surgeon with over 27 years of experience in his field. With impressive technical skill and a talent for creating natural-looking results, his practice has become a leading destination for discerning patients throughout the country.

Known for his compassion and honesty, Dr. Shapiro strives to educate his patients so that they are empowered about their care. He carefully explains the procedures, expected results, and techniques in a way that anyone can understand. Additionally, he personally guides his clients every step of the way – from the initial consultation to their post-operative care – to ensure an enjoyable experience and the best possible results.

Practice Policy Update Regarding COVID-19

Dear Patients,

It is with great pleasure that I announce the reopening of my practice for both surgical and non-surgical services on May 1, 2020. As per the governor Ducey's executive order on April 22, 2020, elective surgery has been allowed to proceed, with appropriate precautions taken by health care professionals to ensure continued vigilance against the spread of Covid-19.

Our office staff and the staff of Paradise Valley Cosmetic Surgery Center and Surgical Recovery Center have proactively taken necessary precautions to meet strict criterion for health providers according to the state of Arizona. These include necessary patient screening for Covid-19, strict protocols for cleaning offices and treatment rooms, adequate PPE, and continued social distancing. As before, waiting areas will have minimal capacity, and friends and family members should not accompany one into offices or treatment areas.

With great anticipation we welcome you back to the practice, and wish you all continued health and safety.